THE police helicopter and three fire service rescue boats searched the River Wye on Tuesday night (April 1) after a teenager was seen in the water.

The alarm was raised after a male youth was swimming across the Wye but not seen to get out.

Neil Tipton, police press officer, said that shortly after 8pm at Rotherwas, near Rotherwas Chapel, police responded to a report of suspicious activity at a moored boat and three youths left the scene.

He said two were found by officers, but the third entered the river and started swimming.

A four-hour river search from Fownhope to Foy was launched and continued until 12.15am when the missing teenager returned home.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "Entering a fast moving river like the Wye at any time, let alone in the hours of darkness, is extremely dangerous and puts your life at risk.

"It is only by good fortune that this did not have tragic consequences and we would urge all young people to be aware of the dangers and act accordingly."

The police said no offences occurred at the river boat.